{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,14]],"date-time":"2026-08-14T16:43:47Z","timestamp":1786725827843,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":30,"publisher":"Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)","issue":"4","content-domain":{"domain":["lww.com","ovid.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2023,10]]},"abstract":"Abstract<\/jats:title>\n \n Background:<\/jats:title>\n Lingual nerve injury is a known complication of mandibular third molar (M3M) surgery, and retraction of the lingual flap is reported to reduce the incidence of this complication. However, there is no global consensus on the routine retraction of lingual flap.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Aim:<\/jats:title>\n The aim of the study was to assess the perception and practice of lingual flap retraction amongst oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Nigeria.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Materials and Methods:<\/jats:title>\n \n This cross-sectional national survey was conducted amongst 122 oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Nigeria from January 2023 to March 2023 using a validated, structured, self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire had three sections and 14-item questions. Section A consists of the sociodemographic questions, Section B comprises questions on perception towards lingual flap retraction, whereas Section C consists of questions on the practice of lingual flap retraction. These questionnaires were deployed as an online survey and as hard copies. Both qualitative and quantitative data were analysed. A critical probability level (\n P<\/jats:italic>\n < 0.05) was used as the cut-off level for statistical significance.\n <\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Results:<\/jats:title>\n \n Most of the participants (47.6%) belong to the age group of 31\u201340 years. The male-to-female ratio was 6:1. Only 12 (9.8%) participants had a positive perception towards routine lingual flap retractions following M3M surgery. Perception of lingual flap retraction was found not to be associated with the demographic variables of the participants (\n P<\/jats:italic>\n > 0.05). A total of 95 participants (77.9%) did not raise nor retract the lingual flap during lower third molar surgery. The rate of practice of lingual flap retraction during third molar surgery was not influenced by any of the factors studied (\n P<\/jats:italic>\n > 0.05).\n <\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Conclusion:<\/jats:title>\n The majority of oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Nigeria do not agree that routine retraction of the lingual flap is necessary to reduce lingual nerve injury and majority, too, do not practice this in their management of impacted lower third molar.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.4103\/npmj.npmj_104_23","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2023,11,22]],"date-time":"2023-11-22T00:00:19Z","timestamp":1700611219000},"page":"293-298","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1097\/lww.0000000000001000","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["The Perception and Practice of Routine Lingual Flap Retraction in Lower Third Molar Surgery among Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in Nigeria"],"prefix":"10.4103","volume":"30","author":[{"given":"Ekaniyere Benlance","family":"Edetanlen","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Benin of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ufadime","family":"Lawani","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Benin of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Taofeek","family":"Akinniyi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ife, Osun State, Nigeria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Esther","family":"Ayanere","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Uchenna C.","family":"Okechi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Benjamin","family":"Fomete","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Amadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Otasowie","family":"Osunde","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Cross-River State, Nigeria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Timothy Olukunle","family":"Aladelusi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"276","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2023,11,22]]},"reference":[{"key":"R1-20240908","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"109","DOI":"10.2147\/CCIDE.S12394","article-title":"Pattern of third molar impaction in a Saudi population","volume":"2","author":"Hassan","year":"2010","journal-title":"Clin Cosmet Investig Dent"},{"key":"R2-20240908","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e161","DOI":"10.1016\/j.oooo.2011.12.019","article-title":"Pattern of mandibular third molar impaction in the Indian population:A retrospective clinico-radiographic survey","volume":"116","author":"Padhye","year":"2013","journal-title":"Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol"},{"key":"R3-20240908","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"13","DOI":"10.1016\/j.joms.2015.08.009","article-title":"Prevalence of visible third molars in the United States population:How many individuals have third molars?","volume":"74","author":"Magraw","year":"2016","journal-title":"J Oral Maxillofac Surg"},{"key":"R4-20240908","first-page":"131","article-title":"Prevalence of impacted teeth among young adults:A retrospective radiographic study","volume":"6","author":"Arabion","year":"2017","journal-title":"J Dent Mater Tech"},{"key":"R5-20240908","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"169","DOI":"10.1159\/000442416","article-title":"Assessment of third molar impaction pattern and associated clinical symptoms in a central Anatolian Turkish population","volume":"25","author":"Yilmaz","year":"2016","journal-title":"Med Princ Pract"},{"key":"R6-20240908","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"244","DOI":"10.34297\/AJBSR.2019.03.000669","article-title":"Complications associated with the occurrence of impacted mandibular third molars in Saudi Arabian sub-population:Najran province experience","volume":"3","author":"Braimah","year":"2019","journal-title":"Am J Biomed Sci Res"},{"key":"R7-20240908","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"548","DOI":"10.1016\/S0901-5027(03)90413-9","article-title":"Pattern of third molar impaction in a Singapore Chinese population:A retrospective radiographic survey","volume":"32","author":"Quek","year":"2003","journal-title":"Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg"},{"key":"R8-20240908","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"257","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bjoms.2021.06.016","article-title":"Current thinking in lower third molar surgery","volume":"60","author":"Steel","year":"2022","journal-title":"Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg"},{"key":"R9-20240908","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"281","DOI":"10.13005\/bpj\/488","article-title":"Bur technique and chisel mallet technique in impacted third molar","volume":"7","author":"Vivek","year":"2014","journal-title":"Biomed Pharmacol J"},{"key":"R10-20240908","first-page":"22","article-title":"Third molar impaction:Evaluation of the symptoms and pattern of impaction of mandibular third molar teeth in Nigerians","volume":"24","author":"Obiechina","year":"2001","journal-title":"Odontostomatol Trop"},{"key":"R11-20240908","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"474","DOI":"10.1016\/0278-2391(88)90415-6","article-title":"Postoperative morbidity with mandibular third molar surgery:A comparison of two techniques","volume":"46","author":"Middlehurst","year":"1988","journal-title":"J Oral Maxillofac Surg"},{"key":"R12-20240908","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"133","DOI":"10.1007\/s00784-006-0089-5","article-title":"Iatrogenic injury to oral branches of the trigeminal nerve:Records of 449 cases","volume":"11","author":"Hillerup","year":"2007","journal-title":"Clin Oral Investig"},{"key":"R13-20240908","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"732","DOI":"10.1016\/j.joms.2005.02.006","article-title":"Frequency of trigeminal nerve injuries following third molar removal","volume":"63","author":"Robert","year":"2005","journal-title":"J Oral Maxillofac Surg"},{"key":"R14-20240908","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"649","DOI":"10.1016\/S0278-2391(00)90159-9","article-title":"An anatomic study of the lingual nerve in the third molar region","volume":"58","author":"Behnia","year":"2000","journal-title":"J Oral Maxillofac Surg"},{"key":"R15-20240908","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"103","DOI":"10.1038\/sj.bdj.4806922","article-title":"Lingual nerve damage associated with the removal of lower third molars","volume":"167","author":"Blackburn","year":"1989","journal-title":"Br Dent J"},{"key":"R16-20240908","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"108","DOI":"10.1038\/sj.bdj.4807777","article-title":"Permanent damage to inferior alveolar and lingual nerves during the removal of impacted mandibular third molars. Comparison of two methods of bone removal","volume":"172","author":"Rood","year":"1992","journal-title":"Br Dent J"},{"key":"R17-20240908","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"290","DOI":"10.1016\/S0901-5027(88)80005-5","article-title":"Lingual nerve damage following lower third molar surgery","volume":"17","author":"Mason","year":"1988","journal-title":"Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg"},{"key":"R18-20240908","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"456","DOI":"10.1038\/sj.bdj.4809126","article-title":"Lingual nerve damage during lower third molar removal:A comparison of two surgical methods","volume":"180","author":"Robinson","year":"1996","journal-title":"Br Dent J"},{"key":"R19-20240908","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"76","DOI":"10.1054\/bjom.2000.0320","article-title":"Protecting the lingual nerve from damage","volume":"39","author":"Seward","year":"2001","journal-title":"Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg"},{"key":"R20-20240908","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"268","DOI":"10.1016\/S0901-5027(00)80026-0","article-title":"Lingual nerve protection during surgical removal of lower third molars. A prospective randomised study","volume":"29","author":"Gargallo-Albiol","year":"2000","journal-title":"Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg"},{"key":"R21-20240908","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"776","DOI":"10.1055\/s-0041-1730042","article-title":"Lingual flap protection during third molar surgery:A literature review","volume":"15","author":"Petroni","year":"2021","journal-title":"Eur J Dent"},{"key":"R22-20240908","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"770","DOI":"10.53730\/ijhs.v6nS3.5470","article-title":"Comparison between efficacy of turbine handpiece versus conventional motor handpiece in surgical removal of impacted third molar:A review","volume":"6","author":"Gulia","year":"2022","journal-title":"Int J Health Sci"},{"key":"R23-20240908","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"164","DOI":"10.1038\/sj.bdj.4809194","article-title":"Lingual nerve damage the debate continues","volume":"181","author":"Kindelan","year":"1996","journal-title":"Br Dent J"},{"key":"R24-20240908","first-page":"9","article-title":"Lingual guttering technique for removal of impacted mandibular third molars","volume":"6","author":"Kale","year":"2014","journal-title":"J Int Oral Health"},{"key":"R25-20240908","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"890","DOI":"10.1016\/j.joms.2016.12.040","article-title":"Prevention of lingual nerve injury in third molar surgery:Literature review","volume":"75","author":"Pippi","year":"2017","journal-title":"J Oral Maxillofac Surg"},{"key":"R26-20240908","first-page":"580","article-title":"Frequency of lingual nerve injury in mandibular third molar extraction:A comparison of two surgical techniques","volume":"27","author":"Shad","year":"2015","journal-title":"J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad"},{"key":"R27-20240908","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tripleo.2006.01.016","article-title":"Permanent sensory nerve impairment following third molar surgery:A prospective study","volume":"102","author":"Jerjes","year":"2006","journal-title":"Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod"},{"key":"R28-20240908","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1790","DOI":"10.1016\/j.joms.2006.05.060","article-title":"Etiology of lingual nerve injuries in the third molar region:A cadaver and histologic study","volume":"64","author":"Pogrel","year":"2006","journal-title":"J Oral Maxillofac Surg"},{"key":"R29-20240908","first-page":"402","article-title":"Incidence and risk factors for nerve injuries in mandibular third molar surgery","volume":"18","author":"Akadiri","year":"2009","journal-title":"Niger J Med"},{"key":"R30-20240908","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"197","DOI":"10.1053\/joms.2003.50036","article-title":"Litigation and the lingual nerve","volume":"61","author":"Lydiatt","year":"2003","journal-title":"J Oral Maxillofac Surg"}],"container-title":["Nigerian Postgraduate Medical Journal"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.ovid.com\/10.4103\/npmj.npmj_104_23","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,14]],"date-time":"2026-08-14T16:26:14Z","timestamp":1786724774000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.ovid.com\/10.4103\/npmj.npmj_104_23"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2023,10]]},"references-count":30,"journal-issue":{"issue":"4","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2023]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4103\/npmj.npmj_104_23","relation":{},"ISSN":["1117-1936","2468-6875"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1117-1936","type":"print"},{"value":"2468-6875","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2023,10]]},"assertion":[{"value":"2023-04-19","name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2023-09-06","name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}}]}}